Senior Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About us

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Role Purpose Statement

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Transportation Operations Leader to lead one of the largest airport transportation operations in our network, supporting airline catering logistics for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

This highly visible leadership role is responsible for the day-to-day execution of a complex, fast-paced transportation operation that supports one of the world's busiest airports. The successful candidate will lead a team of transportation managers, supervisors, and dispatch operating in a 24/7 environment.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will drive operational excellence across transportation management, transportation planning, dispatch operations, DOT compliance, safety, labor productivity, and customer service performance. You will ensure the safe, timely, and efficient movement of products and services while delivering exceptional support to our airline customers.

What We're Looking For

We are specifically interested in senior operations leaders with significant experience managing large-scale transportation or aviation operations, including:

• Airline Operations
• Airline Catering Operations
• Airport Operations
• Ground Handling Services
• Transportation & Logistics Operations
• Aviation Support Services

Candidates must possess extensive transportation leadership experience, including regulatory compliance, fleet management, dispatch operations, and large frontline workforce leadership.

Main Accountabilities

Transportation Operations Leadership

• Lead all transportation operations supporting airline catering and airport customer requirements.
• Direct transportation managers, supervisors, dispatch personnel, and indirect hourly transportation employees.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and on-time movement of products, equipment, and vehicles across airport operations.
• Establish operational goals and performance metrics for service, productivity, safety, and reliability.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve transportation efficiency and resource utilization.
• Ensure effective transportation coverage across all shifts and schedules.

Transportation Planning & Dispatch Operations

• Oversee dispatch operations and transportation planning activities to support customer service requirements.
• Ensure optimal routing, scheduling, workforce deployment, and fleet utilization.
• Lead contingency planning for operational disruptions, weather events, airline schedule changes, and irregular operations.
• Monitor transportation performance metrics and implement corrective actions as required.
• Ensure effective coordination among operations, production, customer service, fleet maintenance, and airport stakeholders.

Safety, Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT), FMCSA, airport authority, OSHA, company safety, and customer requirements.
• Promote a strong safety-first culture across all transportation operations.
• Lead transportation safety programs, accident prevention initiatives, and regulatory audits.
• Review transportation incidents, accidents, and near misses and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure transportation managers and supervisors are trained and accountable for all compliance requirements.
• Maintain compliance with vehicle licensing, regulatory reporting, driver qualification requirements, and operational standards.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with airline customers, airport authorities, internal operations leadership, and support functions.
• Ensure transportation performance consistently meets customer service level agreements.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for transportation-related operational challenges.
• Foster collaborative relationships across operations, production, maintenance, safety, and customer service teams.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead and develop managers and supervisors.
• Ensure the organization is appropriately staffed, trained, developed, and performance-managed.
• Build leadership capability within the transportation management team.
• Drive accountability, employee engagement, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Promote company values, operational discipline, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, Aviation Management, Business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5+ years leading large frontline operational teams through multiple layers of management.
• Demonstrated experience managing managers, supervisors, dispatch functions, and hourly workforces.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations
• Transportation safety programs
• Fleet operations
• Dispatch and routing operations
• Labor productivity management
• Airport operational environments
• Proven experience managing operational budgets, labor planning, and performance metrics.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead operations in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment.